Having just returned from my big presentation in Sweden and being under the influence of jet lag, I don’t have much presence of mind to provide an in-depth blog missive.

But there’s one news item that got my attention, and I wanted to share it with you.

Target has launched Target Mobile, with new cell- and smart-phone tools that raise the bar on the mobile shopping experience.

With Target Mobile, shoppers sign-up and/or download free apps, and are immediately privy to:

• Checking out with a mobile phone, using Target gift card information
• Locating and updating gift registries
• Coupons sent to a mobile phone, complete with bar code – no more paper coupons

Even if you own a small business and think you can’t afford such programs, sit tight and watch for now.  Immerse yourself in what companies like Target are doing, because it is the future.  It is YOUR future.  The time will come when the software to create such mobile shopping programs is cheap and easy to use, and you’ll need to be ready.

Sign up for Target Mobile today – it could very well be some of the best consumer research you’ll do this year.